Promise and Responsibility

A truly beautiful day and as usual in the Wu tribe village, although a few days ago they were hit by a heartbreaking tragedy but this is the Wu tribe, they ignore the tragic events in the past and turn them into mere dreams, like a passing wind that washes your face and then leaves without a trace, the only thing in the Wu tribe that is highly regarded and prioritized is contribution and inheritance, without these two which are the most respected things then someone in the Wu tribe village, they are nothing but a backward person compared to others.

Afternoon into evening, evening into night, the Wu tribe's preparations for tomorrow are in full swing, all the banquet ingredients are complete and the prayer tools are sufficient for tomorrow's ceremony.

The large cutting board that includes bear meat as the main course is accompanied by beef, lamb, fish from the border forest streams, honey, milk, bread snacks and food and room fragrances made from a mixture of flowers and leaves that give off a distinctive and light forestry and mountain odor.

Then there is a wood that is fairly rare or very rarely seen and used daily by the Wu tribe, it is the cloudy twig pine tree or twisted pine tree, basically it is a pine tree but the tall shape is slightly tilted with a small twig above it has a cloud because there are only a few trunks left and it is located in a place even higher than the Wu tribe village.

The smell is lighter and soothing, placing it in the sacred cave of the Wu tribe makes everyone forget that they are in a cave if they let their guard down and get carried away by the delicious aroma.

Inside the stone cave, which did not look at all damp, the Hei brothers arranged bright brown honey candles with wooden strings and cloth as wicks with beautiful carvings on the candle sticks, on each side, and placed one small candle on each wooden plaque of a deceased ancestor's name.

On the other hand, Ning's family cleans and beautifies the wooden plaques with the names of the ancestors, giving them a newer feel by emphasizing every crevice and part of the wooden plaques that are larger than the combined palms of his hands when connected.

The Ning family was the quietest and the least visible, but they were a family that could be considered quite diligent especially at a time like this, the two remaining members of the family were determined to devote themselves fully to the ancestors of the Wu tribe.

The Ning family is known by all the other branches of the family as the most passive family in interaction but they are also known as the most contributing family, why? Because they are actually the caretakers of the ice cave section which is very influential in the Wu tribe village, without reliable and experienced people like these it will be very lacking and the meat supply will not last long, Ning Bing's grandfather's wife Ning Chang is even the last successor of the previous branch of the family who lived contemporarily with Ming Qi's grandfather.

Every clan will be born and gone, every person will live and die.

Such is the case with the Wu people, those who live to represent their clan and also inherit and carry on the struggles and work of their family's specialty section regardless of who it is.

The day continued to pass while waiting for the Wu clan's preparations to be completed.

Ao Qi's uncle's family, assisted by Su Meng's uncle's family, prepared the food section as well as some other related families, then Ming Qi's grandfather's family prepared new speeches and prayer sentences, it should be noted that every few months at least the meeting hall elders need to change the prayer script with the purpose and belief that the ancestral spirits are entertained and not bored.

Grandfather Huang's family was also preparing more bread and speeding up in between the best preparations, Grandmother Shang Wei's family was also preparing the fleece cloth that had been supplied in abundance and assisted with artifacts that could make Grandmother Shang Wei's knitting a thinner, tighter, and lighter cloth.

While Zhou Huan's grandfather was still snorting irritably in his room, the punishment was crazy, even crazier than before, while Cang Yan's uncle and Hong Xiao's sister were also sitting quietly on their beds while waiting for tomorrow, for the three of them, only a sacred day like tomorrow was the moment when they could freely go out even with a little rule and guard, but of course Zhou Huan's grandfather did not feel very happy with this rule, he considered sane and normal but not the others.

Especially with his absurd behavior yesterday.

"Hohoho finally finished", Ming Qi's grandfather together with Huang Gu's grandfather had finished writing and arranging the sentences for the prayers and offerings of praise to the ancestors tomorrow, Huang Gu's grandfather also wisely and slightly nodded which illustrated his heart's intention of flattering Ming Qi's grandfather beside him.

Ming Qi's grandfather's house was simple and exactly the same as Huang Gu's grandfather's house making it feel like home, every construction or making of equipment, usually the Wu tribe people use the same blueprint and the same shape with the benefit of illustrating that each of the family branches is equal, while houses that have modifications illustrate that they have a special function in contributing to the development of the Wu tribe village.

Huang Gu's grandfather once again looked at it with wisdom, looking at the paper with a simple inscription containing prayers to the people of the Wu tribe and sentences of praise to the ancestors.

Grandpa Ming Qi smiled broadly with his narrowed eyes, as did Grandpa Huang Gu who was listening to his closest cousin, "good job my brother, you are indeed great, it is not wrong for you to be the number one person in this village, our big family can rely on the family in this matter and it will forever remain so, good job, good job...I'm sure the ancestors will be comforted and flattered, I'm sure all the branches of the family who hear it will be excited and moved, hmm but I think you wrote too much, I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult", Huang Gu's grandfather hesitantly looked back at the sheet after seeing Ming Qi's grandfather's face which was somewhat astonished but he also clearly understood this and had realized it.

Hearing that Ming Qi's grandfather just kept quiet and smiled slightly, "I did it on purpose, I did this also as a lesson for Wu Liang, as his grandfather I can't let him continue to be fed, at least this time he will feed himself with his own spoon or better yet he can snatch spoons from others for his own benefit, you know what I mean?", simply put is that I want Wu Liang to digest and assemble his own words this time by just watching and listening to me, I can't always teach him, I also realize my age is not long gone and I also can't leave this to Shan Yu, my dear granddaughter is more capable and better off under the care of your wife, O my brother, I fully rely on you for my grandchildren, although we are almost the same age but at least I want your son to also help my grandchildren, I know I owe the health center but debt is debt and I will guarantee to replace the debt for a while so that in the future my grandchildren can pay it.... I promise that."

"What promise?" Wu Liang suddenly came after hearing the sentence fragment and interrupted him.

Grandpa Ming Qi and Grandpa Huang Gu were silent for a moment looking at him, then silently looked at each other simultaneously and let out a murky sigh, while Grandpa Ming Qi complained more loudly and heavily.

Ming Qi's grandfather was silent, seeing this Huang Gu's grandfather took the initiative, "Your grandfather really wants you to explore the outside world of Wu Liang, but you know yourself that you owe the medical center, take it easy, your grandfather has a way out of your problem...", Huang Gu's grandfather somewhat looked hesitant to say his sentence.

But seeing Wu Liang's sincerity and glassy eyes, it made Ming Qi's grandfather feel guilty for his grandson, Wu Liang is the grandson he loves the most, how can he do things that go against his heart and principles for him it is better to prioritize Wu Liang and his future than to indulge himself even though he knows that his life is not long in leaving.

"Grandfather guarantees your debt with grandfather's position, that way you will no longer feel burdened, Oh Wu Liang my grandson don't you feel guilty so, this is your grandfather's decision, with this step and path you can look for continue to make as much contribution to the village so that you can become like your grandfather"

Wu Liang silently clenched his hand, but it was still clearly visible to Ming Qi's grandfather.

Being a meeting hall elder means having the highest authority in the Wu tribe, for them as a small group, it is really good to be praised and praised every day, but with such a delusion only makes Wu Liang feel uneasy especially since he clearly understands the benefits of being a meeting hall elder, regardless of his age now.

Wu Liang fought back the urge to cry, but Grandpa Ming Qi returned it with a genuine smile like a father to his son.

Although Wu Liang was not his direct son, he was just his son's foster child, how could he not have a sense of belonging and affection towards Wu Liang?